Of the 51 information reports sourced from GBRMPA including

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 85 Patrol intelligence briefs

5.13 The FMCU has developed patrol intelligence briefs for six different

regions of the Marine Park, with the briefs reviewed on a monthly basis. The briefs, which are used to inform patrolling officers of the issues and targets that they may encounter while on patrol, outline the current issues in each region, targets persons of interest, priority locations, maps recording the locations of reported incidents and a summary of current intelligence. Where applicable, the briefs explicitly address GBRMP permitted activities and permit holders that the FMCU has determined pose a high compliance risk andor an increased risk to the Marine Park. The briefs are also used to inform the development of plans for each patrol. Intelligence highlights bulletins

5.14 The FMCU prepares a one-page bulletin, generally on a weekly basis,

highlighting a small number of recently received information reports that identify persons and locations of interest in relation to the conduct of illegal activities. The bulletins are distributed to FMCU staff, field operations staff and staff within GBRMPA with an interest in compliance. At times, GBRMP permitted activities and permit holders are the subject of information reports included in the bulletin. Assessing compliance risks

5.15 A structured approach to risk management enables a regulator to

identify, analyse and monitor regulatory risks, and to prioritise and plan compliance activities to mitigate these risks. The FMCU has established a strategic risk register that outlines the key compliance risks to the Marine Park and coastal Marine Park. The FMCU also monitors identified compliance risk treatments on a quarterly basis and undertakes annual reviews of identified risks. To complement this work, in July 2014, GBRMPA’s EAP Section developed processes to specifically consider risks to the Marine Park posed by permitted activities. Strategic risk register

5.16 As part of its annual business planning cycle, the FMCU reviews, and

where necessary, updates it strategic risk register in consultation with other areas of GBRMPA and partner agencies. The 2013–14 and draft 2014–15 risk register included 39 compliance risks to the Marine Park and coastal Marine ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 86 Park, of which seven related primarily to permitted activities and a further 1413 related to both permitted activities and activities not subject to permits see Table 5.1. 88 Table 5.1: Summary of strategic risk register risk ratings Risk Rating All Compliance Risks Risks Related to Both GBRMP Permitted Activities and Activities Not Subject to Permits Risks Related Primarily to GBRMP Permitted Activities 2013–14 2014–15 2013–14 2014–15 2013–14 2014–15 Extreme 1 2 - - 1 - Very High 13 10 2 1 - 1 High 14 14 7 6 3 4 Medium 10 12 5 6 3 2 Low 1 1 - - - - Total 39 39 14 13 7 7 Source: ANAO analysis of FMCU strategic risk registers.

5.17 Only a small proportion of the ‘Extreme’ and ‘Very High’ rated

compliance risks relate to GBRMP permitted activities—with most relating to commercial fishing, vessel groundings or the illegal take of protected species. The highest-rated compliance risk related to GBRMP permitted activities is ‘breach of a Marine Park permit to commercially net in the Princess Charlotte Bay Special Management Area’.

5.18 For each rated risk, the risk register identifies: the areas within the

Marine Park and the months of the year that the risk is at its greatest 89 ; the intended surveillancemonitoring treatments; and the agencies tasked involved in managing the risks. The FMCU has determined that most risks related to GBRMP permitted activities can be addressed exclusively through vessel and aerial patrols by FMCU and its partner agencies. However, some risks are also addressed through actions from other areas of GBRMPA, for example EAP Section audits of user charges and reports from state government agencies, commercial tourism operators and members of the public. 88 The remaining risks related primarily to illegal or state-regulated activities. 89 High risk periods often coincide with fishing seasonsexclusions or peak visitation times.